by Karen DeArmond Gardner | Dec 19, 2022 | Shame, Coercive Control Violence, Domestic Violence
You couldn’t have known. He hid a monster beneath the tux, behind the smile and the vow to love, honor, and cherish. You couldn’t have known. What was to come. The trauma, abuse, torture, and torment wrapped in marriage. You couldn’t have known. He was a con man, a...
by Karen DeArmond Gardner | Nov 6, 2020 | Mama Bear, Coercive Control Violence, Another One Free, Domestic Violence
Have you even said or thought those words when you heard a woman stayed in an abusive marriage? Or said, “I wouldn’t put up with that for five minutes?” Stunned into silence as the words rolled out of my sons mouth, “you’re an adult, you could have left.” Surprised,...
by Karen DeArmond Gardner | Oct 23, 2020 | Shame, Coercive Control Violence, Domestic Violence
We have been friends for as long as I can remember, two peas in a pod. When you are lonely I console you. When you are low I will take you lower. You don’t even know I am here, tagging along wherever you go. I distort your image as you look into the mirror to reflect...
by Karen DeArmond Gardner | Oct 16, 2020 | Affair, Coercive Control Violence, Domestic Violence
The day was beautiful, the sun bright and warm, the scent of flowers filled her senses after the dreary winter. With all the men off to war, she indulged herself with a bath on the roof. There was no one to see her. As she soaked, the ache of loneliness filled her....
by Karen DeArmond Gardner | Oct 9, 2020 | Church, Coercive Control Violence, Domestic Violence
If what I read from some male leaders within the church, I would say no He doesn’t like women. Their focus is on the scriptures that tell women to be silent and to submit, that women shouldn’t teach men, forgetting the character of God. That our only purpose is the...
by Karen DeArmond Gardner | Oct 1, 2020 | Coercive Control Violence, Another One Free, Domestic Violence
October is a month of change, from hot to cool, green to orange. The air is crisp and clean, overnight trees morph into vibrant colors that take your breath away with their beauty, unless you live in Texas. October is my birthday month, and the month to bring...
